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The City of San Antonio World Heritage Office and its collaborative partners take great pleasure in inviting the public to the 5th annual Día de Los Muertos: Celebrando las Misiones, or Celebrating the Missions, on Saturday, Oct. 29 at Mission Marquee Plaza.
With free festivities scheduled from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., this year’s event centers around the theme of “The Cycle of Life and Death,” with a special focus on the legendary migration of monarch butterflies between the United States and Mexico, and the symbolic association of this epic journey to the Day of the Dead.
Attendees can celebrate the lives of lost loved ones, family and friends by contributing images and mementos to the community altars.
A Four Directions prayer and Native blessing of the ofrendas, or altars, of families descended from Mission inhabitants, educational workshops and a traditional Day of the Dead procession by Danza Azteca de Yanaguana from Mission San Jose Granary to Mission Marquee Plaza will officially kickstart the ceremonies.
The event will feature live music, dance and spoken word performances throughout the day by Joe Posada, Volcán, Chayito y Los Flamencos de San Antonio with accompaniment by poet Amalia Ortiz, Mariachi Azteca de América, Ballet Folklorico Sol de San Antonio, Zombie Bazaar, and Día de Los Muertos poetry by Victoria Fennell, Tomás Julián and Eddie Vega.
We are especially pleased to present “El Viaje de las Monarcas,” an original production by Jump-Start Performance Co. in collaboration with students from Gilbert Elementary School. The program will highlight the annual migration of monarch butterflies as they travel through San Antonio on their way to their winter home in west-central Mexico.
Stop by for free face painting by Color Instinct, make-and-take art activities for the entire family by Terry Ybañez and crew, and a special Day of the Dead writing workshop by award-winning poets Tilton and Nate Zen.
Come explore Día de Los Muertos specialty items by unique local vendors, dive into delicious snacks from onsite food trucks and enjoy refreshments by Voodoo Ranger Beer.
The evening will culminate with a screening of the animated film “The Book of Life” on the drive-in’s original jumbo screen. Please bring lawn chairs and blankets and join us for this special event of community remembrance. No outside food or drinks are permitted.
